We do? Among outfielders who played at least 700 innings last season, Matthews was the fourth worst in all of baseball, according to UZR. Ah, but UZR needs a large sample, so let’s look at 2008: 16th worst in all of baseball. In 2007, he was 14th worst. John Dewan’s +/- system dislikes him, too. Presumably, Joe says “we know that” because of one play Matthews made one time.

Joe: He may not look like the best hitter every time at bat…

Stop right there!

Joe: … but he gets things done.

Like rallies. He gets rallies done. Rallies be going, then when Matthews is done batting, rallies be over.

Joe: When he was with the Angels he’d get a lot of big hits late in the ballgame. He may have been 0 for 3 up until that point, but I like him.

“He may have been 0 for 3 up until that point, but I like him.” Swirl that one around in your mouth for a while. Tastes good, right? Floral and velvetty, with a good finish.